I went into Station Eleven by Emily st. John Mandel knowing almost nothing about this book, but evenReview also appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I went into Station Eleven by Emily st. John Mandel knowing almost nothing about this book, but even then, knowing the tiny tidbit about the apocalypse in the form of an epidemic was too much. I feel like this tiny piece of knowledge changed the way I thought about this novel without my even knowing it. Until I started this book and came face to face with what was actually going to happen, I pictured a survival story laced with great character development in the face of danger and maybe some romance--as is typical in books that wear this facade.

Needless to say, this book was nothing like what I was expecting.

Mandel's novel follows a collection of characters that are all, in some way, connected to Arthur, the central character (who is on everyone's proverbial pedestal). They all deal with their own issues, survival/deaths, and just how Arthur affected their lives. In retrospect, if I'd read the synopsis then I would have known exactly what I was getting myself into. But then again, I'm glad I didn't read the synopsis because it's fun to go into a book (almost) completely blind--even if it was just okay for me.

The complexity of the story comes from the sheer will of following these storylines as they curl and twist around each other. Separated by sections, the reader never knows what will happen next and who we will learn about. I can definitely see the beauty in this ability to weave different narratives in an already chaotic setting, mainly thanks to the power of third person narration. It is perhaps this and not the story itself that brings Station Eleven up a level in the prose department. The tone is haunting and the stories we're told interesting enough to keep the reader intrigued. For a good part of the novel, I was pulled in and very interested in seeing what was going to happen next.

That being said, I also felt like this was the type of book that people kind of read to say they've read it. Its relevant themes of a technology-obsessed population, and the constant fear we all have of the next great epidemic that will destroy humanity as we know it will certainly make it a much talked about book. There were instances where the prose felt kind of stilted and dry, like the author wanted you to know that she was making a point. And I get that it is inevitable to think about the human condition when reading a post-apocalyptic book, but I felt so let down by the premise (again, would probably not have been a huge issue if I'd just read the damn synopsis) of characters thinking about their youths when Arthur was around.

While I understood the awe the characters might have sensed with Arthur, I feel like the descriptions of him and how people reacted to him when he talked about his hometown were so dramatic. I understand the awe one would feel to be told about a world unlike their own, being from a different place myself, but I feel like the whole metaphor was drawn out. Also, though I liked the way Mandel concludes her novel (it's very fitting), I found that we never really get anything more out of Arthur. Yes, he's supposed to be this mystery that is shown to us from various perspectives, but I feel like there was so much left out. It feels almost incomplete and I know that some may argue that this is the point, THIS is what we're supposed to feel about Arthur, but frankly, I think it's kind of strange to think about this man when the world is pretty much over. Why this guy? Why this adulterer?

One last thing that had me wary from the get-go was the blurb on the cover by Erin Morgenstern. I am not a fan of her book and to see her commenting on the cover really had me worried. Whereas her book, I found, was more setting/metaphor-driven, I felt that Mandel's book was more character-driven, which is okay, but I would have liked to learn more about the post-apocalyptic world and less about these people's obsession with this guy who was, frankly, a jerk.

I would still recommend this to readers who like books that intertwine the past with the present, and who enjoy a character-driven storyline. If you're coming for the post-apocalyptic survival theme, don't come in with high expectations. This is a book about the apocalypse, human condition, and about a man who somehow started the whole thing (indadvertedly) the night he died.

I wasn't sure what to expect when IReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first jumped into Sara Shepard's The Perfectionists, simply because I didn't read the synopsis (so that it could all be a surprise.) However, I actually wasn't too surprised when this turned out to be something like Pretty Little Liars, but set in a different town. While it did have that ability to grab me until the conclusion, I was a little too eager for this book to end.

I'll start with what went right with this book, so I can begin with a positive spin. The mystery is probably the best part of Shepard's latest series because it actually does keep you guessing. Just like her prior series, The Perfectionists forces you to imagine the guilty party as the last person you'd ever expect, then (view spoiler)[ pull the rug from under you. (hide spoiler)] If not for the mystery, I probably would have abandoned ship on this novel early on.

But see, even the mystery was a bit frustrating because it wasn't something new for Shepard. I remember reading the first eight novels in the Pretty Little Liars series and absolutely loving them because it was so fresh and juicy. But once more novels were announced, I decided to bypass the rest of the series. Why? Because it was just the same thing again and again, with added drama and unnecessary problems.

The Perfectionists is rife with situations that could have been easily avoided. Plus, it had plot holes (that, I know, will probably be filled later on in the series) that made me second guess a few things that I'd learned early on in the book. A lot of the drama introduced could have been solved from the moment said drama appeared--but of course, who needs common sense in a fictional world that thrives on drama? There were moments where I actually cringed and wanted to just end my experience with this book because of such unnecessary crap.

Another issue I had was how many characters there were. I know that in the synopsis (I read it when I was about halfway through the book) all of the girls are introduced, but five characters makes for a very convoluted story. During the first few chapters, when we're getting to know each girl, I kept confusing one character with another, while forgetting who was whom and which boy belonged to which girl. It was, honestly, a mess. Plus, throw in the fact that I am very anti-third person and I wasn't having a lot of fun with the whole thing.

The murder itself is predictable and slightly cheesy. The whole thing about them being guilty in the eyes of the law is another huge thing that could have been avoided, but nope. Instead, the girls keep their lips sealed and let the only thing that could have saved them slip by unannounced.

The conclusion is an obvious "cliffhanger" that lacked the need for me to hang on for dear life until the next book hits shelves. I was expecting what happened and was kind of surprised by the fact that the last sentence ended the way it did.

Overall, I would recommend this to fans of Sara Shepard, because you might like this if you're missing Pretty Little Liars. You might like the mystery, drama, and twists, so check it out. For me, I think I'm going to skip Shepard's next book in this series and wait patiently for something slightly different that doesn't include more than two main characters and an overly complicated murder.

Kiss Kill Vanish is the first novelReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

Kiss Kill Vanish is the first novel I've read by Jessica Martinez and while I was excited to finally read something by this author (and come on, that cover incites excitement, right?), I was left a bit...wanting. Though the genre description (mainly on Goodreads) suggests that this is a thriller, there's not that much thrilling about it. There were some things that redeemed this novel, but unfortunately, not a lot of things saved this one for me.

Valentina, the protagonist, is someone that really irked me. I understand that she found out some pretty nasty things about her family, but she made herself into a victim. I know, I know. When someone finds out the dark truth behind her family's wealth, it can be pretty traumatizing. But the thing that bugged me about Valentina was how desolate she made her world feel. There were moments when the characters around her called her childish, naive, and selfish and I actually agreed. Valentina is the perfect example of a self-victimized character who chooses to run and hide when the crap hits the fan, rather than seeing the things around her for what they are. It sucks to be put in a situation like hers, but she should have made something out of the situation rather then sticking her head in the mud and feeling sorry for herself.

At least, she doesn't see the truth around her until almost the end of the novel. As a result, more than half of the novel is full of Valentina's self-pity and whining about her situation. She trusts the wrong people, depends on people--even though they have proven to be undependable--, and decides to basically prove what others are saying about her by planning something ridiculous near the end of the book.

Basically, the "thrilling" part of this book doesn't start until something kind of huge happens (no spoilers from me!) The event causes a slow-motion domino effect where Valentina's life FINALLY begins to look a bit more intriguing. Even so, I found myself sighing occasionally while I attended her self-pity parties in her tiny "closet" of a bedroom.

By the way, I was so excited for her to be Cuban because of all of the allusions that were given to Cuban culture. But, I was sadly disappointed.

Anyway, my favourite character (and probably one of the only reasons why I finished this book) is Marcel. He starts out so damaged that you can't ever picture him as anything more, but his character is so multi-layered that even Valentina is left with the uneasiness of how well-created he is. Isn't that something, when a side character shows more promise than the protagonist?

Marcel is basically the catalyst for so much, but I won't go further with that, unless you want spoilers.

As for Emilio. I don't know what to say about him. He's obviously too old for Valentina, he somehow gets away with a lot of stuff that would not be okay in his situation, and honestly, the story would have survived without him. If you've read this book and are shaking your head at my last statement about Emilio: think about it. Take all of those moments that he appears in Valentina's life and imagine them to be someone else (like one of her sisters), instead of Emilio. A lot of those times can also be a cruel case of wrong place at the wrong time. He's an unnecessary character.

Would I recommend this to anyone? Sure, especially if you're into stories set in Montreal and vaguely in Miami. If you like crime YA novels and male love interests that are actually realistic and not Adonis's twin, then you might enjoy this one.

P.S. I realize that I sound quite snippy in this review and I apologize.

Recklessly Royal by Nichole Chase isReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

Recklessly Royal by Nichole Chase is the companion novel to Suddenly Royal, which was a romance novel about an American woman learning that she was a duchess. In Recklessly Royal, however, we meet the royal family's princess and her love woes. Though this isn't a perfect read, the quick pacing, fun, and extremely adorable situations make Chase's latest novel a great light read for any romantic enthusiast!

Catherine (or Cathy), the protagonist, is a princess with a big problem: will she ever find a man who will love her for her and not her title? Enter Daniel, sexy friend of her new sister-in-law and someone that might just be able to help her in her plight. What happens after these two characters meet is funny and romantic. I couldn't help laughing when Cathy meets Daniel (because of a particular situation), but I was also skeptical of their budding romance.

Whereas it's a dream to meet someone and automatically have that sense of impending love, it's not exactly realistic. Not only were the people in Cathy's life throwing her words of caution, but the whole insta-romance situation made me slightly confused. All of the warnings that Cathy heard about Daniel made me think that something huge was going to happen to challenge their romance, but in the end, they were just red herrings, resulting in a story that was all a bit too cookie cutter for me. Is Daniel as perfect as he seems? Apparently, he is.

I enjoyed this one because of its simplicity, but it lacked the weight that the first book carried. The romance was a bit too easy and all problems were solved very quickly and very neatly.

Throughout the book, Chase alludes to the impending trouble that Cathy would face later on in the story. With every hint thrown at the reader, the book becomes more and more predictable. But when the time comes, the major event goes out like a small spark caught in a downpour. Everything is magically solved and everyone is living a happily ever after fairy tale ending.

My major concern with this one, however, was how rushed it felt. Yes, I got to know Catherine, but saw only a little character growth. I barely got to know David (other than that he was perfect), and the events just sort of passed me by, without even giving me time to think.

Again, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this one because it was cute, a quick read, and very light--I just wish it had more substance. This was like those Baskin Robbins tasters, where you get just a small taste of what could have been, rather than the whole lot.

I recommend this one to readers who enjoy quick light romantic novels. If you enjoyed the first book in the series, then you might enjoy this one....more

I was really exciting to read Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich because I'm a sucker forMini Review first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I was really exciting to read Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich because I'm a sucker for a promising romantic tale. Also, being a bigger girl, I was excited to finally read a novel about a girl who wasn't introduced like all the other near-perfect female protagonists. However, from the get-go, I started noticing situations that made me feel increasingly uncomfortable. While I enjoyed a good chunk of this book, there were discrepancies that made me, on occasion, laugh at the ludicrous narrative because of how offensive it was.

Despite all of this, Big Girl Panties was still an addicting read for me. And like others have stated, the fat-shaming and assumptions made by the male love interest were a bit disturbing. Also, the fact that he was unable to defend her to those who made fun of her weight (which can't possibly be as extreme as the author makes it out to be) did not endear him to me whatsoever.

I read this one quickly because I'm a sucker for chick-lit, but I've definitely read better....more

Dear Killer is a young adult thrilleReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

Dear Killer is a young adult thriller debut by Katherine Ewell that showed such intense promise that when I saw it come up on Edelweiss, I was more than happy to snatch it up for my reading pleasure. However, the promise this book showed slowly burned out less than halfway through the book.

Since the protagonist, Kit, lives by a set of five rules, I'll make my own rules for this book:

1. Don't expect to be introduced to a character that does not sound American (even if she was born and raised in London).

2. Knowing that English people use the word "Arse" instead of Ass does not mean that your character is truly English. Especially when it's the only word that even resembles English dialect in this novel.

3. Paragraphs and paragraphs of inner contemplation and wisdomy bullshit does not make for a fun and quickly paced read.

4. Don't be too offended if people simply skim over above-mentioned sections.

5. You're not as good as you think you are. Blood will appear on a black carpet, the police won't let just anyone (especially a 17 year-old teenager) suddenly become part of an investigation, and you leave so much evidence, it surprises me that you weren't caught after your first murder!

If you find yourself pulled towards this one, enter with care and keep those rules in mind, because this book sounds so interesting but lacks that particular punch so many great books have.

I will admit that at first I was intrigued because this type of book fascinates my weird interest in the macabre, but I quickly learned that this wasn't at all what I was expecting. I could almost see the teenager behind this story, since it was so poorly researched and written. I've read books by teenagers before and have found them interesting, so I don't usually have an issue with how old an author is. But Ewell is the kind of young author that shows potential as a future author if she does more research for her books.

Whereas other readers had a major issue with the concept of this book, I just couldn't really focus because of how inaccurate the dialogue and the prose was in relation to where this book was set. The fact that Kit sounded more American than English was distracting and kept getting on my nerves. If a character is born and raised in a different culture, the least you can do is make the character sound like s/he belongs in the setting you've created.

I also found myself skipping over sections because it all felt repetitive, boring, and drawn out. Ok, I understand that you think you will never get caught, you don't have to remind us so many times that it starts sounding pretentious. Kit's character was hard to like because she liked to pretend she was very mature, which only translated to a character playing a part badly. She wanted us, the readers, to believe that she was this celebrity that was smarter than everyone around her, but I just saw a child in grown-up clothes.

The reason why I'm giving Dear Killer two stars instead of one is because of the potential. Like I previously mentioned, at first this book looked very promising and I think if it had been approached differently by the writer (with a lot more research, too), then maybe it could have been salvageable. My stating this shows just how much I really wanted to enjoy this.

I don't know if I would recommend this. Some people do like the type of book that delves into philosophy and what it means to be inherently good or bad--or even better, what it means to believe that neither good or bad exists. If you're looking for an edgy murder book, however, then this isn't the one for you. ...more

Before I begin writing my review, leReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

Before I begin writing my review, let me just make this very, very clear for you prospective readers: Lauren Oliver's Panic is NOT a dystopian novel. It is contemporary (set in the present time) and holds a handful of mystery and suspense, but there are not characteristics of it being a dystopian novel.

I've found myself on the fence regarding Oliver's writing more than once. While I absolutely loved Before I Fall, which was her debut, I couldn't get through Delirium. As for Panic, I had quite a bit of mixed feelings. While there were moments that made me itch to continue reading the novel, other instances had me physically pushing it away. The pacing is irregular, but still good, and the concept of the novel is fantastic. But like with Delirium (at least for me), I felt like the idea was just a tad too large for Oliver to handle.

The earlier stages of the novel were actually good, if not at times confusing, since the narrative tended to deviate from the norm, and I felt like sharing with you guys how I liked what I was reading so far (hence the pictures on my blog.) But as the story reached its halfway point, I started noticing little bits and pieces that were actually a bit annoying. It was so cool to see such intense challenges, and even a few terrifying ones that I couldn't really read because they freaked me out, but I felt like the dramatic subplots overshadowed the premise of the novel.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing, and best choices in regards to this novel, was how the narrative was split into two characters, Heather and Dodge. These two personalities clashed on so many levels that I decided to just use it as a way to see how Oliver could manage a male character as opposed to a female character. I'm going to let you in on a little secret that I've come to realize after finishing this novel: Oliver can be great at writing powerful male protagonist with big personalities, but she struggles with the female characters. And before I have some of you telling me, "Oh but being weak is a characteristic in some characters," being written in a weak fashion does not mean it is a characteristic, it simply means that the character is hard to relate to and/or accept as a trustworthy voice of a story.

Heather was, for me, slightly reminiscent of Lena and if you've read my review of Delirium, then you know that's not a good thing for me. Sure, she had a tough life, but she was so frustrating that I almost started yelling at her. Dodge, on the other hand, was a character that had a lot of fire in him. He was daring, almost callous in his descriptions, and I was frankly surprised that Oliver had it in her to introduce such an extreme character. But I liked him and I think he is perhaps one of the saving graces of this novel.

The conclusion felt abrupt and a bit too easy. Things were left unfinished and I felt like the story was building up to this huge ending but what I actually got felt a bit lackluster. (view spoiler)[Suddenly everything is fixed and everyone is happy? That makes no sense--it's like a chunk of the story was left out. Reality doesn't depict characters suddenly being ok with each other without hashing things out. (hide spoiler)]

I'm curious to see what Oliver comes up with next. I'm hoping that in the future I'll have the opportunity to read something like Before I Fall again. I loved the near simplicity of how our actions affect not just our lives, but the lives around us. With Panic, it almost felt like it was the creation of someone who was trying a little bit too hard--and if that sounds harsh, I apologize, but I'm upset that something that started out so great, turned into a weird, weak, and confusing mess.

I recommend this one for readers looking for a different kind of read. If you like contemporary suspense or mystery, you might like this. The point is, this is my opinion and I am not the voice for every reader. So, while I only enjoyed this a smidgen, others might love this one.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>...more

Indelible is Dawn Metcalf's second yReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Indelible is Dawn Metcalf's second young adult novel and while the ideas behind her novels are incredibly original, I fail to connect with her story telling. I won't lie, I was super enthusiastic to read this one--I mean, look at that cover and that description! Who wouldn't want to read something that both looks and sounds so appealing? And while Indelible will definitely be loved by many readers, I unfortunately found Metcalf's novel to be disappointing and weakly written.

The beginning shows a lot of promise, what with the mysteriously handsome and dangerous boy, the fun and youthful setting, and the idea of magic within the folds of reality.

Joy, the protagonist, starts off as an interesting character who has gone through some seriously dark stuff. At first I felt compassion for her--after all, here's this girl who is terrified, but has no one believing her. But then, I started to get annoyed. Not just with her character, but with nearly every character in the book. First you have the meddlers, then the naggy characters, then you have the very frustrating and slightly creepy love interest and protagonist. Let's just say that after a while, every character got on my nerve.

Okay, I understand where some of the characters are coming from, and perhaps my reaction to how they acted towards Joy might be biased, since my personality would never allow for people to treat me the way they treat Joy, but come on. If a girl doesn't want to talk about something, that's her business. This felt like a huge issue in the novel, as if Joy was fending off people telling her to tell them this or that, which drove me nuts and was a total turn-off. I find it very hard to connect with characters who are either very indecisive throughout a novel, or who let others push them around (without speaking up by the end of the novel).

Like I said before, the beginning of the novel is the redeeming quality, so naturally I enjoyed almost every aspect of it. The pacing was well done, since we're immediately brought into the heart of the situation where Joy's life changes forever. I like that Metcalf doesn't dwell on the mundane at the beginning, since her novel is full of creepy and fast-paced moments. She also creates a dark and uncomfortable tone by using effective descriptions and metaphors.

But as the novel progresses, the story begins to unravel like a badly knitted sweater. The pacing, once comfortable, becomes jerky, the storyline starts to take a few too many twists, A LOT of new information is introduced, which is very overwhelming.

Joy is frustrating because she never quite knows what she wants, the romance in the novel feels forced and lacks that raw power that is usually evident in great romantic novels, and everything just feels like one big mess.

Honestly, I don't know what to make of the novel. The beginning shows a lot of promise, but from the middle to the conclusion, it's almost like Metcalf is trying to make her story more original and more complex, so as to have a reason to write a sequel.

If you like original stories and very stubborn characters, then give this one a read. I may not have enjoyed it, but I know that others certainly will--mainly because of the magic, romance, and adventure. I wasn't a huge fan of her first book, but those who were, might end up loving this one....more

Sketchy by Olivia Samms has a prettReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Sketchy by Olivia Samms has a pretty cool concept: former drug-abuser has the quirky, but eerie, ability to draw whatever crosses a person's mind. The mystery is disturbing and the fear is palpable, while the characters are unique and witty--despite the morbid content of the novel. Samms's debut is a potentially powerful read that lacks strong dialogue, but makes up for it with an edgy premise.

Bea, the protagonist, is an opinionated girl who is put into a new (and very huge) public high school, after years of attending a private all-girls school. There she not only meets the first mystery in the series, but she learns about her unique gift.

The cool thing about Bea is that she is an imperfect protagonist dealing with real issues (such as drug abuse), and who is of mixed heritage. I think that is the coolest aspect about her, physically, that she not only stands out with her personal history and gifted artistic talent, but that she physically stands out from the crowd.

Samms touches on many different issues in her debut, making it more than just a cute little murder-mystery. Rape, race, sexuality, bullying, and drug abuse are the main themes explored in Sketchy. As can be imagined, the tone of this novel can vary from very dark, to light and endearing.

The prose is powerful (so as to match the themes) and the pacing is quick. One of the best aspects of Sketchy is how it pulls the reader in because s/he really wants to know who is behind the attacks. I couldn't put the book down, even though I was a bit wary at the beginning. My anxieties over Sketchy were proved wrong as the story gained momentum and eventually led to a hair-raising conclusion.

What I wasn't very keen on was the dialogue, and while I did giggle like a fool, I was confused about the romance.

For starters, I don't even know the love interest's age, which may be a problem (considering who he is, but I am not spoiling that for you). I mean, he sounds very cute and caring, but we don't know anything about him. I'm hoping that in the future installments, Samms will go more into detail regarding Bea's relationship with her supposed love interest.

The dialogue is very weak. I think Sketchy can be more powerful if the dialogue reflected the rest of the prose. It feels very childish and awkward. While the tone and main theme of the novel is dark, the dialogue feels forced and a bit antiquated. Since Sketchy is a novel for a young adult audience, I wouldn't mind seeing a little more colloquial writing in future installments--especially since nowadays it is easier to connect with dialogue that not only flows naturally, but mimics our modern dialect, no matter how flawed it may be.

Would I recommend Sketchy to fellow readers? Yes! Though it has flaws, it is a very interesting read. Sketchy is one of those books that pulls you in and does not let you go until you've reached the end. I recommend Samms's novel to lovers of young adult contemporary murder mystery novels that touch on social issues. Also, if you like low-key paranormal situations, then this one is the book for you.

Bea's talent for drawing others' thoughts is a very promising premise. I can see many more books spawning from this very cool ability--the possibilities are nearly endless. I know I will be checking out the next book in this series!...more

I received a copy from the publisher & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Laurie Plissner’s Screwed is one of those young adult contemporary novels that feature dramatic reactions, the sometimes dark truth behind religion, and what it means to be the shattered image of perfection that sometimes hides our true selves. Plissner’s novel is daring in how it deals with religion, youth, and the very popular and unfortunate trend of teen pregnancy.

Having read Louder Than Words, I was expecting a lot out of Plissner’s second novel. From the get-go, I noticed that it would be a completely different experience.

The third person, omniscient narrative immediately stood out as something that might annoy me. If the story is about Grace, the protagonist, and her unplanned pregnancy, then why are we seeing how everyone else reacts to her situation? Shouldn’t we be worrying more about what Grace is experiencing, rather than what others think? Doesn’t this contradict the message of strength, hope, and love that we are ultimately receiving at the conclusion of the novel?

Or, I may have not liked it simply because I’ve never been a fan of third person narrative…let alone omniscient narrators.

I liked the romantic aspect of Screwed because it helped bring the beauty out of the ugly situation. It gave light to an otherwise bleak moment in Grace’s life. And with jerks like Nick, her unborn baby’s daddy, Charlie, her love interest, is a refreshing male character. He both respects her and treats her the way Nick unfortunately doesn’t. And though it is a little unrealistic, it still made me giddy whenever they were around each other.

I also thought it was a nice touch to show Grace that one wrongly thought out decision doesn’t have to define the rest of her life. I’m not an advocate for abortion, nor am I an advocate for people to get abortions—I believe that this choice belongs only to the pregnant mother-to-be. So, it was nice to see that Grace’s choice to let the baby live was neither affected by her parents’ belief that it is only right to have an abortion, nor by her strict religious upbringing.

While I am a sucker for a dramatic read, this was flirting with the idea of too much drama. It almost felt like Plissner was trying to get a rise out of the reader. I know it is vital to affect your readers’ emotions, but sometimes subtlety works over the dramatic. The intensity reached the point of unrealistic for me, but hey, there are a few parents out there who are just as harsh as Graces—neighbours like hers though…not so sure.

In some ways, Screwed also reads like a fairy tale waiting to happen. Great and loyal love interest (where was he when Grace was being tormented in school?), a best friend who would do anything for her and loves her unconditionally (where was she when Grace was being tormented in school?), and a neighbour that proves to be her fairy godmother (Why is she in a less than stellar neighborhood, conveniently close to Grace?)—Grace has it all. She’s just lucky like that, despite her ever-growing belly. Also, throw in the slightly confusing and extended conclusion that made the novel drag.

Also, I was kind of mad that I didn’t get to see what happened to Nick. Yes, I believe it is hinted at, and yes this was Grace’s (semi, anyway) story, but still. Shouldn’t the reader get the satisfaction in seeing Karma at her finest?

I did love some of Plissner’s prose and descriptions—one of her best writing attributes—and the little notes Grace writes for the baby. I also loved her relationship with her neighbour and how at the end, there are hints of second chances.

But the pacing was off—there were often scenes that were simply skimmed over—and the characters were a little unbelievable and unreliable.

I recommend Screwed to fans of quick and dramatic story lines. If you enjoy pregnancy stories, you might like this too. Religion tends to play a heavy hand in this one, but in both a negative and positive light. I’m not a huge fan of religiously motivated decisions, but it’s not so extreme that it makes Screwed off-putting.

The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher is aReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher is a dark reminder of how bullying can sometimes lead to tragic conclusions. Pitcher's novel, however, is also a reminder of how grief can alter our perspective, and how sometimes the struggle we go through in search of the truth may destroy us more than we know. Reading Lizzie's change in the many diary copies that are passed around at school is chilling, since she goes from a hopeful and quiet teen, to someone whose dreams foreshadow her downfall.

Pitcher's novel starts with a bang. The word "slut" is written in black marker on Lizzie's locker, her best friend and protagonist, Angie, is the one who has the power to say something, to stop the bullying, but she is also hurt--after all, she is the one who was betrayed by Lizzie.

For a while, the story fizzled, fighting to regain that incredible hook, but it wasn't until the major twist in the novel occurred, just after the half-mark, that I became absolutely hooked.

While the themes of bullying, sexuality, rape, abuse, racism, gender identity, and suicide are incredibly touchy subjects, Pitcher dives in head first with her protagonist into each theme. She battles the prejudice surrounding homophobic reactions in high school, and is surprisingly powerful against the bullying that students, despite the recent suicides, still partake in.

While I do love that Pitcher explores all of these topics unflinchingly, I find that perhaps it is too much. Yes, it is true that in every high school there is some sort of bullying, but, for the sake of a linear storyline, exploring all of these topics makes the novel feel unsure of where it wants to go--therefore, leaving too many unanswered questions, too many unresolved issues, and too many conflicts that take away from the main themes of the novel, which I presume are bullying and suicide (and okay, okay, I know that many things can fall under bullying, but The S-Word does not have to be the book to bring these issues to light, too many issues can be overwhelming--or perhaps it is just the way Pitcher presents them.)

I couldn't really connect with the dialogue. It felt... dorky. I don't know how teenagers talk now in high school, but I felt like the dialogue was a forced kind of cool that I would have used when I was in middle school. It didn't feel age appropriate and instead of sounding cool and contemporary, it sounded weird and outdated.

Despite my misgivings with certains aspects of The S-Word , I was able to enjoy it (for the most part). I loved the romance and the hope that it symbolized, especially given the dark tone of the novel.

Angie, despite her Nancy Drew (with a twist) qualities, was realistic in that she truly felt the loss of her best friend. I liked her because she found a way to forgive herself, thanks to her wonderful character growth. Her internal struggle is heartbreaking and I think that that is the most powerful point of Pitcher's novel.

I will admit that The S-Word is very addicting. Even though I giggled like a fool at the dialogue and I wondered where Pitcher was taking the storyline, I needed to know more. I craved the truth and I wanted to see what Angie was up to. The pacing may have been a little too fast for me, but I still found my way through Angie's struggle.

Keep in mind though, dear reader, that perhaps the prose is a reflection of Angie's internal struggle--the confusion, the fast-paced aspect of it all, and the urgency within the pages that sometimes jumps from one place to another--these may all be a reflection of how much Angie has changed since Lizzie's death. After all, the twist that I mentioned earlier in the review will make you put the book down and say, "Damn."...more

You Know What You Have to Do by BonReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

You Know What You Have to Do by Bonnie Shimko is a novel with an original concept and unique characters. The pacing of the story allows for Shimko's novel to be a quick read, but the story needs to be more fleshed out.

The novel starts out with Mary-Magdalene, who is your average wallflower teenager turned murderer. Shimko makes Mary likeable by excusing the reasons why she commits the murders we witness in the novel. Sure, there are instances where more murders are almost committed, but Mary's ability to restrain herself redeems her as a character.

What is interesting is how almost everyone around Mary is made to look horrible and shallow. Perhaps this is a way of further redeeming Mary's character, but I found her best friend's sudden change in personality unsettling, her childhood friend's actions uncharacteristic, and the one romantic opportunity sullied. I mean, I get that Mary's life kind of sucks, but I think Shimko goes a little overboard with the negativity in her novel.

The pacing of the novel is way, way too fast and slightly confusing.

One moment we're with Mary during the last day of school, and the next we're at the end of the summer. There are a lot of opportunities to tell us about Mary's struggles and to expand on the concept of hearing an evil voice during that time span, yet Shimko does nothing with it. She tells us what happens during the summer, but only after the events have taken place. As a result, the story feels rushed and messy.

If there is some sequel I don't know about, then I hope it answers some of the questions leftover at the end of the novel. While I understand what Shimko is trying to do with her conclusion, it just feels sloppy. I felt so dissatisfied with the conclusion that I actually said, "That's it?"

I know it sounds like I really disliked You Know What You Have to Do, but I didn't completely dislike it. I liked the character growth experienced by Mary (this can be seen at the end, where she grows a backbone), the relationship between the characters in Mary's home, despite the unconventional situation they live in, and how Mary's character teaches her readers various lessons regarding boys and friendships.

I recommend Shimko's novel to readers who want a quick read that isn't too substantial. Shimko creates a quickly paced novel that will have you gasping and hoping to God that Mary stops before committing another crime, so it will definitely grip you. If you want something original, this book is it. ...more

Zom-B by Darren Shan is not the kind of book I anticipated it to be. In fact, it deals more with theReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

Zom-B by Darren Shan is not the kind of book I anticipated it to be. In fact, it deals more with the cruel reality of racism, abuse, and dysfunctional youth, than zombies. I personally love a good zombie novel now and again, but this one left me wondering when the zombie snacking would begin. One cool aspect, however, was Shan's ability to make the protagonist an androgynous character and keep it a mystery until the very end.

For a long time I wanted SOMETHING to happen. I kept expecting the zombies to barge into the storyline, teeth chomping away at the characters and stomachs growling for a slice of brain, but when does this happen? About three quarters of the way into the novel. And okay, the prologue and pictures were pretty awesome, but the story just fell a little short for me.

Granted, Zom-B is the first book in a series, so I can sort of understand Shan's careful pace for his zombie series.

The writing, despite the pacing, was good. It gave me an insight into B's world and how s/he interacts with everything around him/her. It was fun catching a glimpse of the dialect and his/her way of life. Shan's talent at making the reader feel like s/he is beside B was what made his book interesting. He is also has the odd talent of making the most mundane things (like babies) appear absolutely terrifying.

Basically, Shan's book is wonderfully written and a disturbingly honest representation of racism and abuse in countries that appear to be accepting more and more multiculturalism, but it is slow going and may make the reader a teeny bit impatient--especially if s/he is a zombie enthusiast.

I would recommend Zom-B to readers of horror fiction that have tough protagonists and unexpected conclusions. I would advice, however, to be patient. I, for one, am hoping that the second installment makes up for Zom-B's lackluster premise.

By the way, when the zombie action picks up it really picks up. The gore that the previous chapters missed out on are splattered on the last few chapters for the reader's twisted enjoyment....more

Shana Abé's The Sweetest Dark is a histReview first appeared on my blog: my link text

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Shana Abé's The Sweetest Dark is a historical and paranormal young adult novel that follows an orphaned teenage girl during World War One. With the war highlighting the mysterious events happening at her new school, Iverson, located in a gothic castle, the reader will learn about the trials of a poor student finding herself in a world that tells her to be otherwise, and how magic can change everything.

Lora, the protagonist, is a feisty young girl with an unknown past. Besides being found and sent to the orphanage at a young age, she has no recollection of the events beforehand. Haunted by the musical callings of stones and metals around her, plus gifted with an unusual appearance, Lora is a mystery from the get-go.

I'm not a huge historical fiction reader and I've found that paranormal romances have started to become more and more alike--witches, vampires, zombies, werewolves--so I was more than a little apprehensive when I started The Sweetest Dark. Thankfully, it was an enjoyable read with a hefty amount of originality.

The beginning, though interesting because of Lora's uniqueness, was a little drawn out and I often found my attention drifting. I was already intrigued by the first few paragraphs, but I kind of wanted the pacing to go a little faster. I know gothic romance novels tend to focus on the minute details of the protagonist's life, but this felt more paranormal than gothic--so I grew impatient.

The writing, however, was beautiful and antiquated, which went great with the tone and year of the setting. The setting is dark and ominous, but the tone is rigid and respectful, like what is expected of Lora.

Which brings me to a point that has always irked me about historical novels, and other novels featuring women who dare belittle themselves to make male characters "want" them: the sexism of the time. I know, it's inevitable. Considering that The Sweetest Dark is set in 1915, Abé is accurate in her portrayal of women at the time, but it still makes me angry to see it so blatantly clear that women had close to no power.

What helped ease my annoyance was Lora and her stubborn attitude. She stood up for herself, if not verbally, but mentally, whereas others merely agreed with what they were told, or simply looked down on Lora for having a smart mouth.

Okay, moving on from that particular pet peeve.

The romantic aspect of The Sweetest Dark was nearly perfect. At the time the novel is set, the romance is scandalizing enough to make Lora and her lover want to meet in the shadows of the castle, which made it so much better. The slowly growing feelings between Lora and her love interest are sweet, tender, promising, and powerful. You can't help but hope for the best when it comes to their relationship.

The most surprising part of Abé's novel is the twist she throws at you. You're expecting the obvious answers; the most cliched and predictable turn. But no. Abé knows what she's doing when it comes to surprises and I will not ruin it for you--just keep in mind that not everything is as it seems.

Besides my conflicting views on how the women are treated in this novel, another negative is the redundant descriptions of Lora's world. Abé tends to repeat the same descriptions in the beginning, middle, and conclusion of The Sweetest Dark, and I couldn't help but disconnect from the story to wonder why she needed to explain yet again why the night was that one particular color.

Though the narrative is in first person when we are looking through Lora's eyes, the chapters do occasionally alternate from one character to another (the narrative is in third person when trained on someone else other than Lora). Whereas I've seen this technique before (i.e. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting), it was a little confusing having more than two narratives running through the novel. Two I can handle, but three starts to feel a little crowded.

Abé's novel is full of spunk, rule breaking, sweet romance, and unexpected magic. The Sweetest Dark will charm readers with its eloquent prose and gothic setting.

I recommend this one to young adult readers who love historical romance fiction with a large serving of the supernatural. If you're sick of vampires, witches, werewolves, and zombies, then you might want to give this one a look-see. As long as you're not as squeamish as me when it comes to sexism in our history, then you'll enjoy Abé's novel....more

Hidden Gates by D.T. Dyllin is one of those booksReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

Hidden Gates by D.T. Dyllin is one of those books that has a gorgeous cover, a thrilling premise, and just an intense amount of promise. But it all falls short for me, especially since it feels like the novel focuses more on the sexual tension between the characters than the really, really cool idea behind the book. Sure, there were some instances at the beginning where I was hooked, but near the middle of the book, everything just sort of fell apart.

P.J. is one of those characters that's a little naive, thinking that she is equal to those around her; that no harm can come to her. I didn't grasp the intensity of her naive nature until one particularly disturbing scene near the beginning of the novel that changed my view of her completely. I'm not a huge fan of her, and though there are instances where she stands up for herself against her love interest (which I admit is rare in a female character caught in a similar situation), she quickly falls back into the fragile female character that she is.

I know this is a New Adult novel, meaning that sex runs rampant throughout the pages. But honestly, sometimes I think this novel was just written with the purpose of getting extremely sexy men naked. P.J. complains about her love life, then remembers that, oh yeah, the world is in danger. I know I sound like a prude--trust me, I enjoy a sex scene or two, but these characters act like people who have nothing else to do but screw.

I love the idea of the different types of paranormal people hidden within our non-paranormal society. It is totally cool, plus the little twist Dyllin includes regarding P.J. is REALLY neat. This story just took on a life of its own and escaped Dyllin's grasp, but not in the best way.

The relationships between the characters are also weak and kind of cruel. P.J. is a horrible friend. Though her best friend is kind of creepy with how she knows everything about her, P.J. is rude and outright bitchy.

I don't think I'll be reading the sequel, simply because I don't want to encounter P.J. and her sexual adventures. I want to read about the paranormal happenings in her world, not how jealous, controlling, and possessive the men in her life are. ...more

Luke Hollands's debut Peregrine HarReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Luke Hollands's debut Peregrine Harker and the Black Death is a fun adventure set in a time long-past where mysteries were daydreams, and danger a way of life for over-curious detectives. Hollands's world is explored by his young protagonist, Peregrine, as he strives to uncover the surprisingly intriguing mystery surrounding the sudden shortage of tea.

Peregrine isn't one of those protagonists who immediately comes off as haughty, attractive, and confident--instead, he is rather flawed and easily distracted. The novel starts off interestingly enough, but then we find that the adventure mentioned was just a daydream in a very creative mind. But then again, I think I would have shied away from this one if it were anything like the corniness produced in the first chapter.

No, what I liked was the slow buildup into the main revelation of the story--and it is huge and very satisfyingly unexpected. Though the novel is quite short, Hollands does have a skill for pacing and keeping the reader intrigued as the mysteries mount. The characters we meet along the way are all quirky and fit the stereotypical image we may sometimes have of mysterious people detectives often face. What I wasn't so keen on was how Peregrine felt the urge to describe every aspect of a new character.

I mean, okay, I get that he is painting a picture for us, but the info-dump style of describing characters has never been something I'm hugely into. A few details are all right: hair colour, eyes, height, maybe even stance, but every single detail can get wearisome, especially when your protagonist keeps meeting new people.

The adventure aspect of Hollands's debut is pretty addicting. Despite the weak dialogue (Hollands really likes using phrases like, "Old Man"), I could capture the image of a society long-past. It was exciting watching Peregrine encounter a car that to us is a weak little thing, but to him is a powerful force. Also, like I mentioned before, the mysteries that kept twisting and turning in the novel added a lot more fun to the adventure.

While I did read an advance reader copy (ARCs are often full of spelling and grammar errors), I found Peregrine Harker to be a bit weak stylistically. I get that this is an old-fashioned novel, and that it is perhaps a book written with Sherlock Holmes in mind, but sometimes Hollands overdoes it.

Like I mentioned with the dialogue, there are instances where Hollands over-emphasizes terms from the past, or well-known detective phrases. Also, a bit of the writing felt corny. Peregrine Harker is good fun, I admit, but it could have been approached in a much simpler fashion. Hollands needs to trust his readers, not simply repeat things over and over again, hoping that they understand what's happening.

Regardless of the writing style, the conclusion left me wanting more. I am very excited to see what Peregrine gets into next. I also think that Hollands's future novels will hopefully be an exciting array of mysteries waiting to be solved!...more

What We Saw At Night by Jacquelyn Mitchard﻿ is a yReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

What We Saw At Night by Jacquelyn Mitchard﻿ is a young adult mystery that introduces readers to a unique storyline about teenagers suffering from a very rare condition. The novel is a very quickly paced book that can be read in a day, but it strives to be memorable by throwing red herrings that rather than intrigue the reader, may in fact confuse him/her.

I've always been a huge fan of Parkour, so it was fascinating to read a book that actually explained some of the techniques. It was also refreshing to read a novel that involved a different sport, besides the typical popular sports (i.e. soccer, football, etc). I also enjoyed how Mitchard detailed the stunts; occasionally using their french names.

What I wasn't so huge on was the mystery aspect of the novel. Sure, the creepy experiences that Allie and her friends face chilled my blood, but by the end of the novel I felt like it lacked that staying power. Instead of creating suspense, the twists and turns felt forced and just confused me more.

The conclusion, however, is pretty powerful. The final sentence promises retribution and I liked that. Allie's strength is more apparent after the climax of the story, ironically, than just before everything goes to hell. I was torn between liking her, or being mad at her for her inaction.

What We Saw At Night is more than just a fun mystery with some sporty adventure on the side. The tone of Mitchard's novel is as dark as the night her characters are confined to. Death is a constant topic between the three teenagers, and a fearful reality in their small town.

I recommend this novel to readers who want a story that is unique and a quick read. This is a book best read in the night, where the reader can easily imagine pulling off the crazy stunts these teens attempt....more

Alex Flinn's Towering is very obvioReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

Alex Flinn's Towering is very obviously a retelling of Rapunzel with a twist--it wouldn't be a Flinn novel otherwise. Towering is an original adaptation of a tale that has become increasingly popular and it was refreshing seeing it brought to life in a new light. A fun and surprisingly quick read, Towering is a cute story to be read on a quiet afternoon. Though it is at times cheesy (as fairy tales often are), Flinn's new novel includes a surprise twist and an ending fit for a fairy tale.

The story begins with Rachel and Wyatt, the co-narrators. Wyatt hints that something dark happened in his past, while Rachel alludes to the fact that she is lonely. By having the two characters introduced this way, Flinn is setting up the obvious "Hero and maiden in distress" situation we are very familiar with in recent novels. And though she challenges this notion with Rachel being more than just a chick in need of rescue, we still see the co-dependency featured in fairy tales.

The pacing is very quick, almost to the point of lacking believability. While I loved that these two characters seem to save each other in their darkest times, I find it so awkward that it is an "insta-love" kind of romance. I mean, before Wyatt meets Rachel, he has other women on the brain. But then--BOOM! There is Rachel in all her blond, blue-eyed beauty. Oh, and she's very innocent, naive, and old-fashioned. I just find the whole situation a little forced. I mean, at least let the characters grow to like each other! Give them some time to fall in love, don't just shove it in my face.

Okay, putting that issue aside.

I liked the mystery aspect and the intertextuality, which was very intelligent and unexpected. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (coincidentally one of my favourite novels) is featured in Towering as a key to understanding what is happening to Wyatt. I love that Flinn adopts ideas from another classic novel portraying madness, and the ghostly spell of the past, to retell such an admittedly sad fairy tale. I think it's fitting and a fun little twist.

The mystery, though not completely surprising, is great. We are given clues and red herrings, and it allows you to be an active reader in the story, rather than just an observer. I like that Flinn doesn't truly start dropping hints until just after the middle of the novel, because then we can still go along with Wyatt's search for the truth.

I don't know how I feel about Rachel. It's like her old fashionedness rubs off on Wyatt. I get that she is locked away from society in some small town that barely even registers on the map, but come on. I'd expect for Wyatt's vernacular to rub off on her, not the other way around. Also, though she is told (various times) of the dangers in the real world, she easily falls for Wyatt.

Wouldn't she at least put up a fight?

I understand that she is lonely, and I more than understand Wyatt's quick taking to her, but I find these characters to be a little unreliable.

Okay, okay, I'm being mean and hard on these two poor lovebirds. I know. But I honestly did enjoy Towering. Once I got into it, it was a surprisingly quick read. I felt satisfied by the events that took place, and I knew I'd read another enjoyable Flinn novel. I just didn't think it was something that would change my life for forever. It was just a light and magical read.

I recommend Towering to lovers of fairy tale adaptations in young adult fiction, quick romance, adventure, and fun mysteries. If you like ghosts, there're a few of those too. Even if you don't end up liking the characters, you might like the storyline.

Though they're not perfect, you can always count on Alex Flinn for an entertaining read!...more

I finished reading J.E. Jones' novel The EternalReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

I finished reading J.E. Jones' novel The Eternal Sphinxman at the beginning of January and I've been dwelling on what to write in my review since then. While there were some interesting moments in the novel, I wasn't a huge fan of the dialogue and the attempts at creating foreshadowing. But if the reader focuses more on the storyline, rather than the writing technique, s/he will find a creepy tale of revenge.

The characters are university graduates that encounter their murderous past while visiting their old college campus during a reunion. The novel is reminiscent of the Scream films, since the characters get hunted, taunted, and attacked by a masked killer. The conclusion will surprise you and the prologue will leave you smiling, despite the dark tone.

What irked me throughout the whole novel was the dialogue. I congratulate the author for being so consistent with his portrayal of his characters' vernacular, but I found it disconcerting that his characters talked in a very over-dramatized colloquial fashion. I found the dialogue very distracting and inappropriate, simply because the characters are college educated adults that talk like teenaged, or young adult characters.

I'm not even going to touch on how obscene some of the language was--not as in bad words, but just words that were a bit strong--but maybe I've just been away from adult fiction for too long.

The foreshadow was interesting, but could have been better if Jones allowed some room for the reader to guess at the hints being given. Instead of telling the reader what was in store, I would have preferred a slight hint at what was about to happen. Foreshadowing is tricky because the line between over-sharing and just enough suspense is very easy to cross.

I contemplated my rating between two and three stars, but settled on three stars because the base of the story is good. The surprise ending is also something worth noting, since it is difficult to find a murder mystery with a truly captivating conclusion.

I would recommend The Eternal Sphinxman to readers who enjoy murder mysteries and college related story lines. Though the dialogue leaves much to be desired, the story itself makes for a suspenseful read....more

Rebecca Bloom's Eat, Drink, and Be Married is a sweet adult fiction noveReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy for review

Rebecca Bloom's Eat, Drink, and Be Married is a sweet adult fiction novel that explores the relationships between four women. I'm a sucker for a good chick lit novel, simply because I like the drama and the path to redemption that women in these novels encounter. Though fairly well written, Bloom's story starts off shaky, but picks up shortly after the midway mark.

The characters are diverse and each have their own issues to overcome by the end of the novel. My greatest issue with Bloom's characters is their believability. Most of the characters have successful lives that feel unrealistic and over-the-top--An example would be celebrity status success and name-dropping to add a "wow" factor.

The first half of the novel is where Bloom emphasizes the success of her characters to the point where her story lacks credibility. But the novel quickly bounces back as the girls finally get together for Hannah's wedding, due to the story switching from a show-and-tell of who's done what, to four friends and their bond. This portion of the novel was, in my opinion, the better half of the novel. This is where readers can relate to the characters.

The beautiful aspect of Bloom's novel is how each woman surpasses a problem in their lives, whether it is a romantic, familial, or personal struggle. Eat, Drink, and Be Married is full of redemption and acceptance. The reader is shown how a past does not determine the future and how everyone deserves a second chance, no matter where s/he comes from and what his/her situation is. ...more

I'm a fan of Sherry Soule because of how captivating her story lines areReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy for review

I'm a fan of Sherry Soule because of how captivating her story lines are.

She has these immense ideas that, if put successfully onto paper, will steal the reader's attention for hours. The difference between Moonlight Mayhem and Beautifully Broken is extreme.

Beautifully Broken, the first in the Spellbound series, has a protagonist, Shiloh, that was a bit too emotionally unattached. In Moonlight Mayhem, the sequel, Shiloh is too emotionally attached to her father's death, but barely mentions her other friends.

Moonlight Mayhem will make an entertaining read for readers. However, my focus was occasionally stolen by misused words. I did enjoy, however, how the characters surpassed the high school cliches to work together on the problem at hand.

Seeing as this is a sequel, there's not much I can say without causing huge spoilers. So, read at your own risk.

(view spoiler)[What irked me was Shiloh's lack of mention or emotional response to the deaths of her friends in Beautifully Broken. It was like they had never even existed. I tried very hard to get past these issues and focus on the plot, which was quite good.

The mystery is exciting and, like her previous book, creepy as hell. I could relate to Shiloh's pain over losing her father, so that was a nice little moment. (hide spoiler)]

Would I recommend this book? Sure. The action is fast-paced and the emotional connection that Shiloh shares with her (still alive) best friend, Ari, is realistic. The story is riddled with creepiness and Soule strives to go beyond the cliches of the supernatural. ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>...more

For a long time I've been hearing nothing but good things about The Darkest Minds and while I admit that it had its entertaining moments, this wasn'tFor a long time I've been hearing nothing but good things about The Darkest Minds and while I admit that it had its entertaining moments, this wasn't a hit with me.

Bracken's novel had a very intriguing premise and I will admit that I'm a huge fan of super powers, so this looked extra promising. I would probably still recommend this book to other readers because everyone is different and might enjoy it loads more than me.

I had several issues with this novel and while some are minor issues, others are a bit more complex. For starters, the size of the book. I know that it's normal for dystopians or paranormal books to be lengthy, but this one was ridiculous. It was like reading a monster that never ended.

Another issue I had was the main character, Ruby. She was so whiny and there were moments where I actually yelled aloud, "You're so freaking stupid!" because, honestly? A lot of the problems she got into would have been so easily avoidable. She got herself into trouble and her wimpy self always cried woe is me, what have I done? For someone who is supposedly powerful and dangerous, she sure didn't show it most of the time. The amount of times that she is "strong" and "dangerous" can be counted on one hand, and even THAT's too many times. In an almost 500 page novel, that's kind of ridiculous.

A huge issue, in my opinion, is the unnecessary way that the novel concludes. RUBY got herself into that situation and what she did at the end is probably the smartest thing she's done throughout the whole book. Also, a certain someone getting hurt could have also been avoided many MANY times.

Now I turn to the love interest: Liam. Seriously, this guy is just...meh. I don't really have to say much about him because he was just so...cliche and sappy. Liam's been hardened by his past, yet he somehow finds a way to wax poetic in the direction of a girl who has knowingly put all of them in danger AND he's only known for a blink of the eye? It's just so hard to believe. I know that falling in love with characters like him is great and all, but I don't know if it's realistic.

I don't know. Maybe the sequel will be better and this one will be redeemed, but I don't really get the hype. It's got a cool concept, I'll give you that, but the rest was just, meh.

Let me just state that it's really not fair that I read Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard just before GaReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

Let me just state that it's really not fair that I read Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard just before Gayle Forman's Just One Day.

I'm going to be blunt and say that Forman's novel is more about self-discovery after a perfect day comes crashing down, rather than travelling, though it was oddly reminiscent of the themes found in Wanderlove (I'm just going to go out on a limb and state that Wanderlove has most likely ruined every other travelling book that I will ever come across).

But even if it lacked the aspects of travelling I so yearned for, I still found it to be a fairly entertaining novel. It has the lesson of finding yourself amidst the chaos and confusion of abrupt change, how hiding your true self from the most important people in your life, especially yourself, may be disastrous, and how sometimes taking a chance is worth the risk of losing it all.

The first part of the novel pulled me in immediately. Here you meet the less than perfect, but still sexy, Willem, a dutch actor. Allyson, the protagonist, is intrigued enough to break from her perfectionism and strict lifestyle to spend one day in Paris with this stranger. While I am a sucker for a storyline like this, I will note that it is rather cliche.

Ignoring the cliche, I will admit that they are cute together, making me want to read more about their adventures. It is when they are apart, however, that Allyson's behavior grates on my nerves. For all you know, someone has stripped her bare of who she once was because of one perfect day. But it makes sense, because in a way, that one perfect day stole the controlled and well-behaved Allyson, leaving someone unsure of what she wants out of life.

That one perfect day is about more than just romance--but about who Allyson was pretending to be before Willem stepped in.

So, the novel spends a good chunk of the story trying to put the broken Allyson back together again into a new and more free-spirited Allyson. Though this is enlightening and powerful, the delivery is dramatic and boring. I kept expecting more and wanting more of the storyline. I wanted Allyson to stand up to those around her, I wanted her to do something regarding her misery, but she was just as quiet and controlled as always, even if she was slowly dying inside (emotionally, of course).

The conclusion though. Wow. THAT is a reason to keep reading this series. After all those months of suffering, Allyson finally returns to Europe and I loved it. The moment she decides to return, the story gains more life.

Though the writing is indeed beautiful and descriptive, the editing is horrendous. I know it is inevitable for a few editing errors to slip through the cracks (no one is perfect), but wow. On one page alone there must have been about five mistakes. I can't even begin to explain how irritating this was.

Even with my pickiness over the editing, I did love Allyson's character growth, the places she visited, and the many people she met. Would I read it all again? Probably, simply because of the travelling bits and Willem.

Always for Willem.

I recommend this one for readers who enjoy a good contemporary young adult read about self-discovery, romance, and a slight touch of travelling and exploration. ...more

The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble iReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble is a very quick and quirky read that features a witty, and slightly neurotic 14 year-old protagonist. The storyline is considerably original, while the mystery promises to intrigue the reader until the conclusion. Preble's novel is a great light read for a hot summer day.

Jenna, the protagonist, tells us the story of how her brother became her guardian (in a paranormal sense) through diary entries. I haven't always been a fan of epistolary novels, since I find it hard to believe that a character would write down every detail that s/he notices. It always feels false to me, especially since I am an occasional journal writer (especially when I was a kid).

Okay, rant over.

But all of those annoyances aside, Preble does a pretty good job--though her character is only 14. Jenna is a very fun character to watch develop because she isn't your typical teenager. Not only is she dying when we meet her, but her family is far from conventional. She is not only grieving the potential loss of her brother, but she is grieving the loss of her father, and who her mother used to be. For a young teenager, she has her plate full.

Though the tone is occasionally light, there are darker themes within the novel. Addiction, death, sabotage, and abandonment are a few of the issues brought to light. And while Jenna distracts us with her wit and banter, her neurotic tendencies tend to seep into her dialogue when she is detailing her deteriorating health. Though the reader may find Jenna's character amusing, there is no doubt that she hasn't lived an easy life. Perhaps it is her attempt at distracting the readers from her familial struggles that endears her to us.

Preble's angels are your typical very attractive people, but their rules and abilities are slightly different from what we're used to when we read other angel inspired novels. Casey, Jenna's brother, is so well described and created, that even I was pulled in by his new allure. Preble is that good. Paranormal fiction in young adult novels is a very normal occurrence nowadays, but every once in a while an author comes along and adds a new twist to popular creatures. Preble is one of those authors.

The mystery is great! I kept trying to guess who was out to get Jenna's family, but every time I tried guessing, something would push me in a different direction. I'm the kind of reader that can usually guess what's going to happen from the get-go, but Preble managed to throw in a few red herrings that threw me off the scent. It was refreshing finding a mystery book that had me guessing throughout the whole story.

My greatest concern, and trust me this usually wouldn't bug me but since this features such a young protagonist, is the use of language. Jenna is in the 8th grade and in my past experience with middle grade novels, this would still be considered middle grade because Jenna is not in high school just yet. But Jenna is 14, which was perplexing since it was December (wouldn't she be 13? Or wouldn't there be an explanation as to why she is one year behind?) and spoke like a 17+ year-old. I know her circumstances aren't the best, but wow. Jenna goes from calling her teacher an "asshat", to spewing out more cuss words throughout the novel. I also know that her attitude is spunky, but this is perhaps too much.

Let's just say I was surprised--I think this novel would have been better off if Jenna were a little older.

Despite what I've mentioned above, the dialogue is kind of awesome. Funny, realistic, and fast-paced, the characters' conversations almost came to life with how well they were written.

The conclusion suggests that there may be more books written in the series (though Goodreads doesn't have any sequels listed), and I think The Sweet Dead Life would really benefit from this, since there are characters that I would like to know more about (like Jenna's best friend), and mysteries that I would like to see solved (like, what's going to happen to Casey in the long-run?)

If you're a fan of quirky characters, understated angels, interesting mysteries, fun dialogue, and novels that portray the unconditional love between family members, then you should check out The Sweet Dead Life.

Keep in mind, however, that though the protagonist is young, the themes explored are not for a middle grade audience....more

I was intrigued by Debbie Davies's Any Love But Mine because of theReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received an e-copy for review.

I was intrigued by Debbie Davies's Any Love But Mine because of the storyline. Although not obvious from the synopses, Acacia, the sometimes awkward and indecisive protagonist, is a young adult immortal attending a mortal high school. The story, though original, to a point, and intriguing, is flawed by the lack of editing and the sometimes inconsistant and unreliable narrator. This being said however, Davies has a good concept in her novel, especially the merging of mortals and immortals into one book. Current trends in literature will welcome a romantic young adult novel with this much potential.

In order to get to the praise, the flaws need to be mentioned. Davies has a strong voice that echoes on every page, but her strength is weakened by a very distracting lack of punctuation and the occasionally awkward word choice.

Acacia was a very hard protagonist to follow and trust. She was constantly jumping back and forth about her love life, family, and safety. It was hard to pinpoint what she would do next, which I admit would be an attractive quality in other novels, but Davies's story acquired a sense of confusion at various points.

With all its faults, however, Davies writes a swoon worthy romance, albeit brief, between Acacia and Josh. Before the plot turns complicated and confusing, the reader is set on a sure path between these two characters. We watch as the inevitable meet and greet occurs, as Acacia's knowledge of her world is challenged, and find ourselves wishing we could aid Acacia with her internal struggle of right versus wrong.

Save for minor inconsistencies, the storyline is promising. Any Love But Mine is a romance worth checking out. Davies's novel touches on mythology in an original way, even if the conclusion is a tad cliche. If subjected to several bouts of editing, Davies's novel has a chance of becoming a favorite among Young Adult paranormal romance enthusiasts....more

I'm very conflicted after reading Superheroes Wear Faded Denim by Law Reigns. Though it grabbed my attention, it wasn't in my usual way. I gave the novel two out of five stars because the story was original, but I wavered between a one and a two because the writing was too archaic and lacked editing, while the characters, mainly the protagonist, Blissany Cherry, were so weak and annoying, that I almost put the book down out of frustration.

This book dripped with the sexual tension Blissany carried with her while on her adventures. Unnecessary metaphors including sexual innuendo appeared here and there, while religion also made a very frequent visit to the storyline.

Blissany was very weak. She was naive and stubborn to the point of stupidity. Seriously, if everyone is telling you the same thing, why are you still not believing them? Sure, the storyline picks up after a while, but Blissany's character still drove me insane.

I'm sorry guys, I really wish I could have enjoyed this one more, I really do. The story has so much potential and while others may enjoy this ten times more than me, I couldn't get into the writing. An example of something that really had me on edge is the word "upon". Reigns loved that word in her novel. Here are two examples: when a character placed something on a table, it wasn't "on a table", it was upon a table. When it rained, it wasn't "Rain fell on leaves", it was "Rain fell upon leaves". "Upon" is archaic and stilts the rhythm of the prose. It drove me nuts.

I would recommend Superheroes Wear Faded Denim to readers who want a slightly sexy read about angels and magical beings. If you like quirky stories with potential, then I would suggest this.

I wouldn't suggest it, however, to those who are like me and can't get past the flaws and archaic writing in a novel. ...more

I came across Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani, the first in the Viola series, a year or so agReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I came across Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani, the first in the Viola series, a year or so ago and finally got around to reading it while on my trip. This was a surprisingly quick read, yet it lacked a few qualities that would normally make a book stand out for me. What I surmised as I concluded Trigiani's novel is that yes, this book can be read in one sitting, but not because the book is fascinating, original, or gripping--it is simply an easy read.

While Viola in Reel Life is aimed at a teen audience, the prose feels like it is written for a much younger audience. While I love Viola's friends and the relationships she forms while she is at boarding school, Viola herself is hard to connect with, thanks to her unnatural prose. She is naive beyond comprehension and her narrative is at times redundant.

Viola's relationship with her first boyfriend lacks the emotions that one would equate to first love. This observation leads me to believe that Trigiani tells her readers what her characters are feeling, rather than show them the building emotions as her characters grow.

Though the ending is abrupt, I was somewhat sad to see the book finish. Personally, I think Viola has a lot more growth in store for her. I just hope that Trigiani manages it in a less unattached fashion.

There is a fun twist to this novel, however, and that is the short-lived mystery that literally haunts Viola until the conclusion. Though the story reads more as an angst-ridden novel, Viola in Reel Life does teach valuable lessons to readers caught in similar situations. Trigiani teaches us that not everything is as it appears to be, and to have faith during times where life isn't going the way we plan.

Though it is nowhere near perfect, I would recommend this book to younger readers. The writing might connect with younger teens and pre-teens, since it isn't anywhere near the maturity calibre of recently published young adult novels. Trigiani captures the difficulties of growing up and the importance of just letting go and accepting whatever life throws at you....more

Lauren Henderson's Flirting in Italian, the first in the Flirting in Italian series, is neither a booReview first appeared on my blog: Bookaddict 24-7

Lauren Henderson's Flirting in Italian, the first in the Flirting in Italian series, is neither a book that promises an eye-opening storyline, nor is it a book that will leave you breathless with how philosophical the message of the story is. Henderson's novel is simply a fun romp of sexy Italian men in one of the world's most romantic cities.

I don't know what I was expecting when I jumped into this book, to be quite frank. My mind lingered on other novels that toyed with their settings by displaying different languages in the titles, but I was not expecting what Henderson offered me.

Violet, the protagonist, is an English teenager on the verge of going to university who finds a painting that portrays a girl who looks very much like herself from centuries before. She later learns that the painting was bought in Italy and, being from a wealthy family, she manages to score a spot in a summer course for young women in Italy. There, her adventures begin.

This was definitely one of those books that left me smiling at the end, simply because of how cutesy the characters are. But it also left me feeling frustrated because I feel like making this book the first in a series is unnecessary. I have a feeling that all of the answers could have been stuffed into the one book, but hey, why not?

Also, Violet is one of those naive characters that tries very hard to be strong, but fails. For me, Violet is still growing as a character--a young girl on the cusp of figuring out that life isn't simply black and white.

I loved the sexual attraction in this novel. It was cliche, I won't lie, but when it comes to romance I will not say "no" to the cliche. What did bug me though is how masochistic Violet appears to be. Her love interest shows no romantic emotions, hell, he at times ignores her or tells her that he isn't interested in anything serious, and though she tells herself she won't go after him, we see her flail whenever he is around.

As for the mystery, it is a strong introduction to the story. It guides us, as the readers, into Violet's new world, but then it is nearly lost. There are moments where I even forgot that there is a mystery because Henderson focuses so much on everything else around Violet. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, I just wish that the story flowed better, rather than just have random instances of mystery here and there.

Would I recommend this to other readers? If you want a cute, light read that can make you giggle, then yes. This is one of those summer reads that can be read by the pool or when lazying around in the heat. If you're looking for something deeper, eye-opening, and without the slightly insulting comments on nationality and gender issues, then you might want to steer clear of this one....more

Wasteland by Susan Kim and LaurenceReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

Wasteland by Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan is a post-apocalyptic young adult novel that features children living adult roles in a makeshift community in the middle of the desert. Though a slow starter, Wasteland does become captivating once the various pivotal characters are introduced.

Esther, the protagonist, lives in a slightly disturbing world where children "partner" up and attempt to have children, while trying to survive the dangerous world. Though the portrayal of children acting as adults is interesting, the biggest success of this concept comes from Kim and Klavans' ability to still portray the innocence and naiveté of the children, despite their deadly surroundings.

The premise of Wasteland is actually pretty cool. The idea of a society run by children and the exploitation of power in a world that appears to lack any power whatsoever is intriguing. It was exciting finding out secrets and what some of the characters' lives were like before the events in Wasteland take place.

Wasteland is written in third person and the narrator is omniscient. At first I wasn't sure how I would like reading the novel from such a wide perspective. For example, if something neat was happening, I usually had to wait while the narration flipped back to another character before I could find out what happened next with the previous character. Sure, this writing style creates anticipation, but it just mainly annoys me. I will admit, however, that I did get accustomed to the narrative and even grew to like it by the conclusion of Wasteland.

Esther grows as a character rather quickly. While what she experiences warrants an extensive amount of character growth, the change is abrupt. I prefer when a character slowly comes to terms with what s/he needs to learn in order to better him/herself, since it allows me to connect with the character and his/her internal struggle.

My greatest issue with Wasteland is the pacing: it was much too quickly delivered. This plays with more than just Esther's character growth, but the plot in itself. The story feels rushed, as if the authors want to reach the conclusion, or the better parts of the novel quickly. There is one particular instance where Esther and her love interest profess their love for each other--yet they barely know one another, and one is supposedly still grieving the loss of a loved one. The rushed pace made me question the authenticity of what should be beautiful moments between two characters.

I will, however, praise Wasteland for its surprises. Several revelations occur during the story and most came as surprises. Whereas similar novels tend to make what's coming next obvious, Wasteland keeps its reader in the dark.

I recommend Wasteland to readers of post-apocalyptic novels and semi-dystopic worlds governed by children....more

If We Kiss by Rachel Vail is a light young adult novel that deals with the difficulties of first lovReview first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

If We Kiss by Rachel Vail is a light young adult novel that deals with the difficulties of first love and the sometimes unexpected consequences of first kisses. Vail also challenges her young protagonist to mature as her thought-to-be perfect home life changes when her mother falls in love with a man that isn't her father.

Charlotte, the protagonist, is a good girl whose first kiss comes from a very unexpected source. What ensues is a novel full of questions regarding loyalty, love, and a new way of life.

The writing is very fast paced and straightforward. If We Kiss can be easily read in one sitting. Despite Charlotte's less than stellar behavior, one can't help but want to finish the story and see what happens next.

Though the story is a fun and quirky read, it is a little hard to take it all seriously, especially since Charlotte is a bit whiny and very naive. Her best friend, the supposedly experienced one in the group, is increasingly annoying because she is incredibly condescending. Her remarks towards Charlotte reminds me of just how catty us women can be.

When Charlotte's mother meets a man, Charlotte is quick to dismiss the fact that her mother has a life beyond her motherly duties. While I understand that she is a younger teenager, it is very unfair and stubborn for her to assume her mother would not live a life beyond their home. There is one particularly disturbing scene where Charlotte is less than civil with her mother.

We expect character growth, since that's what this kind of novel calls for: the character will learn from his/her failed/successful love experience, and s/he will learn to accept that his/her parent is happier. But what actually happens is momentary acceptance, which turns into a sequel that sounds to be a repetition of the same issues.

One of the most important lessons I believe the reader can learn from Vail's novel is the difference between lust and love, and how this can cloud our judgement. It makes you question how many of your first crushes were just a result of lust and not love. Some may find this message inappropriate, especially for the age group, but it teaches us to not take things at face value, and to not drop everything just because we are romantically inclined towards a person.

And simply because I can't end this review without mentioning it: the possibility of a step-brother romance. While some may be turned off from the novel because of this topic, it isn't a huge issue in the novel. Charlotte mainly focuses on how to face her feelings and how to be true to herself and those around her.

I recommend If We Kiss to readers who want a light read to pass the time. Vail's novel, though not the most substantial novel I've ever read, teaches its readers to think before reacting. ...more